Rajinikanth ‘ready’ to fight polls, alliance with Kamal Haasan unlikely for now

Rajinikanth has indicated that he will go it alone in the electoral contests to come.

Actors Rajinikanth (L) and Kamal Haasan at the launch of the movie Kizhakku Africavil Raju in Chennai on Wednesday. (PTI)

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth on Wednesday proclaimed that he was ready to fight the elections, whenever they may be held.

He, however, refused to answer a query from mediapersons on the possibility of allying with Kamal Haasan – yet another Tamil actor who is gearing up to enter politics – in the near future. Both Rajinikanth and Haasan have promised to fight corruption and provide Tamil Nadu with a transparent and responsive government.

“I always thought Kamal will start a political party before me,” the superstar said, wishing his contemporary in the movie industry the best of luck. Speculations of an alliance arose after both the actors came together to participate in a function held at Kuala Lumpur recently.

However, Rajinikanth has indicated that he will go it alone in the electoral contests to come. “Even if they conduct it (elections) in the next six months, we will be ready,” said Rajinikanth, who announced his entry into politics on December 31 but is yet to form a party. His core team is currently touring the state for the purpose.

In a statement issued late on Tuesday night, Haasan said he intends to embark on a ‘Discovery of Tamil Nadu’ journey from Ramanathapuram – his birthplace – on February 21. He is also likely to announce the name of his party and spell out his stand on various political issues on that day.

The two individuals, contemporaries in the movie industry, have chosen to follow differing political ideologies. While Rajinikanth openly flaunts his association with spiritual and religious gurus, Haasan has underlined his secular credentials and gone on record to say that he will have nothing to do with “pro-Hindu” BJP.

These developments are being keenly watched by experts as well as other political parties. “The entry of movie stars may add an element of suspense to the polls, but the main battle will still be between the DMK and AIADMK,” said political analyst Prof Ramu Manivannan.

On November 7, which also happened to be his birthday, Haasan had said that he intends to achieve probity in public life and head an honest administration that’s committed to the welfare of the masses. He will meet people across Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Dindigal and Sivagangai districts during the upcoming leg of the ‘Discovery of Tamil Nadu’ journey. Plans for other regions will be chalked out later.